Liver cirrhosis in hepatic vena cava syndrome (or membranous obstruction of inferior vena cava)

Core Tip

Core tip: Previously considered congenital and diagnosed late hepatic vena cava syndrome (HVCS) is a dynamic life-long disease related to bacterial infection that begins insidiously often in childhood and leads to development of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Localized stenosis, the sequel of the initial lesion persists life-long makes it vulnerable to subsequent bacterial infection which is followed by thrombosis in inferior vena cava (IVC) and intra-hepatic veins resulting in recurrent ischemic liver damage. As it frequently occurs as a co-morbid condition in patients with chronic hepatitis B or C infection or alcohol use, patients with cirrhosis in developing countries should be assessed for presence of HVCS by ultrasonography of IVC.